§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations her Department made to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species with regard to the spring hunt for sturgeon in the Caspian Sea. [165251]
§ Mr. MorleyThe Department did not make any direct representations on this issue when it was discussed at the 50th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, held in Geneva on 15–19 March. However, we did support the recommendation that the CITES Secretariat should continue to monitor permits issued for the export or re-export of caviar to ensure that any frauds or forgeries were identified quickly. This view was fully supported by the other EU member states and duly conveyed to the Standing Committee by Germany on their behalf.